New Zealand were made to fight hard for their third title of the 2007/08 IRB 7s world series, scoring a 22-17 win over Samoa in the final of the Wellington leg last night.

The tournament hosts, who are now well clear of second seeds Fiji in the overall IRB standings, struggled to get past the competitive Samoans - who were the defending champions in Wellington.

Speaking to Village sports, New Zealand coach, Gordon Tietgens said in order to win - they had to target Samoa's midfield area, which was their weakest area.